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MAC East BracketBuster Preview

Previewing the weekend's BracketBuster games for MAC East teams

Each season for the past seven years, BracketBuster weekend has given mid-majors a chance to get national exposure, pitted against fellow mid-major opponents. It has given fans the chance to see teams not often televised and in some cases catapulted these mid-major squads to higher tournament seeds.

The MAC has seen its fair share of quality matchups, with just last season Kent State traveling to #21 St. Mary’s and defeating the Gaels on ESPN2. In another game televised on ESPN2, Ohio beat George Mason.

This BracketBuster weekend offers the MAC East two televised contests, along with four non-televised games and an opportunity for the clubs to gain some confidence heading into the stretch run of conference play.

Buffalo at Vermont, ESPN2, 1 PM

The MAC’s showcase Bracketbuster matchup pits two conference leaders against each other on the Deuce.

Team Comparison

Vermont: 21-7 overall, 12-3 conference, 1st in the America East

Buffalo: 17-7 overall, 9-3 conference, 1st in the MAC

Common Opponents

Colorado

• BUF: W 62-60 @ BUF
• UVM: W 84-59 @ UVM

Colorado State

• BUF: W 67-53 in Hawaii
• UVM: L 76-82 in Hawaii

Buffalo: 2-0, Vermont: 1-1

Key Players

Vermont

Marqus Blakely, Jr. 6-5, 225: 15.6 PPG, 8.9 RPG, 2.7 blocks per game, 60% FG

Mike Trimboli, Sr. 6-1, 180: 16 PPG, 4.8 APG

Colin McIntosh, Sr. 6-8, 210: 12.6 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 51% FG

 

Buffalo

Rodney Pierce, Jr. 6-2, 195: 14 PPG

Greg Gamble, Sr. 6-4, 200: 8.6 PPG, 5.3 RPG

Calvin Betts, Jr. 6-3, 225: 10 PPG, 6.1 RPG, 44% 3 pt. shooting

What to Watch For

Vermont is the better shooting team (48 percent to 41). The Catamounts have won 12 of their last 13, steamrolling through the America East, after losing their first two conference games. The Bulls are in a bit of a slump after a win streak of its own, having lost two of their last three.

Prediction: Vermont 74, Buffalo 67

Miami at Evansville, ESPNU, 3:30 PM

Team Comparison

Miami: 15-9 overall, 8-4 conference, 3 rd in the MAC

Evansville 15-11 overall, 7-9 conference, 5 th in the MVC

Common Opponents

Buffalo

MIA- L 64-76 vs. BUF

EVAN- W 64-49 vs. BUF

Ball State

MIA- W 59-41 vs. BALL

EVAN- W 73-63 vs. BALL

Evansville: 2-0, Miami: 1-1

Key Players

Evansville

Shy Ely, Sr. 6-4, 197: 18 PPG, 6.1 RPG

Jason Holsinger, Sr. 5-11, 177: 12.5 PPG, 3.6 APG

Nate Garner, Sr. 6-5, 224: 10.1 PPG, 6.2 RPG

Miami

Michael Bramos, Sr. 6-5, 221: 16.8 PPG, double-digit points in all MAC games

Tyler Dierkers, Sr. 6-8, 235: 9.1 PPG, 7.5 RPG

What to Watch For

Miami’s defense against the Aces. Evansville averages 67 PPG, while Miami only allow 57 PPG. The Redhawks will need to rebound from that poor shooting performance against Akron. Evansville is on a slide, having lost four of five. Three of the loses come to the MVC’s top three teams but a 65-62 loss to the MVC’s worst, Missouri State, is not a good one.

Prediction: Miami 59, Evansville 54

Ohio @ Eastern Kentucky, 7 PM

Team Comparison

Ohio: 13-12 overall, 6-6 conference, 6 th in the MAC

Eastern Kentucky: 17-10 overall, 10-6 conference, 5 th in the OVC

Common Opponents

Akron

OHIO- W 70-65 vs. AKR

EKU- W 69-57 vs. AKR

Ball State

OHIO- L 44-51 @ BALL

EKU- W 71-58 @ BALL

Austin Peay

OHIO- W 79-68 @ AP

EKU- L 79-82 @ AP, W 73-70 OT vs. AP

Ohio: 2-1, Eastern Kentucky: 3-1

Key Players

Eastern Kentucky

Mike Rose, Sr. 6-4, 195: 21.2 PPG, 5.4 RPG, 50% 3 pt shooting

Josh Taylor, Jr. 6-7, 220: 10.4 PPG

Papa Oppoong, Jr. 6-4, 175: 9.2 PPG, 5.6 RPG

 

Ohio

Jerome Tillman, Sr. 6-6, 235: 18.8 PPG, 8.4 RPG, double-digit points in every game this season

Michael Allen, Sr. 6-0, 180: 7.1 PPG, 4.5 APG

What to Watch For

Which Bobcats team will come to play? One that struggles on D, struggles offensively or neither. More often than not it has been one of the first two on the road. Ohio is 2-10 on the road, Eastern Kentucky 12-2 at home. The battle of two excellent scorers, Mike Rose and Jerome Tillman, will be interesting to watch. Whoever gets the better may find its team in the win column.

Prediction: Eastern Kentucky 73, Ohio 62

Kent State vs. Morehead State, 7 PM

Team Comparison

Kent State: 15-11 overall, 8-4 conference, 5 th in the MAC

Morehead State: 16-12 overall, 12-4 conference, 2 nd in the OVC

Common Opponents: None

Key Players

Morehead State

Leon Buchanan, Sr. 6-5, 210: 14.9 PPG, 6.4 RPG

Kenneth Faried, Soph. 6-8, 215: 13.7 PPG, 13 RPG, 1.9 blocks per game

Demonte Harper, Soph. 6-4, 175: 10.5 PPG, 4 RPG, 3.2 APG

 

Kent State

Al Fisher, Sr. 6-1, 185: 14.8, 3.4 APG

Chris Singletary, Jr. 6-4, 220: 12.5 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 3.2 APG

What to Watch For

Morehead State is only 3-9 on the road. The Eagles have four players who average double-digit points per game. Kent State will have to buckle down on defense. The advantage in rebounds is towards the Eagles but they also turn it over more. If this game is close near the end, free throw shooting could be a big determinant. The Eagles shoot 72 percent at the line to the Flashes’ 63 percent.

Prediction: Kent State 68, Morehead State 60

Akron at Valparaiso, 8:05 PM

Team Comparison

Akron: 17-9 overall, 8-4 conference, 2 nd in the MAC

Valparaiso: 7-20 overall, 4-12 conference, 9 th in the Horizon

Common Opponents

Miami

AKR- W 53-44 vs. MIA

VAL- L 50-62 @ MIA

Akron: 1-0, Valpo: 0-1

Key Players

Valparaiso

Urule Igbavboa, Sr. 6-9, 230: 12 PPG, 5.6 RPG

Howard Little, Soph. 9.7 PPG, 4.9 RPG, 43% 3 pt shooting

 

Akron

Brett McKnight, Soph. 6-6, 245: 11.5 PPG, 3.8 RPG

Nate Linhart, Sr. 6-8, 205: 10.1 PP, 5.9 RPG

What to Watch For

Valpo’s defense. The Crusaders allow nearly five points more than they score on the season. Akronscores almost nine more than they allow on average. Valpo has lost six of seven. Akron has won eight of nine. It’s at Valpo but these two teams seem to be on different paths.

Prediction: Akron 70, Valparaiso 59

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Bowling Green vs. Canisius, 2 PM

MAC vs. MAAC battle

Team Comparison

Bowling Green: 15-10 overall, 8-4 conference, 4 th in the MAC

Canisius: 8-18 overall, 3-13 conference, 10 th in the MAAC

Common Opponents

Akron

BG- L 52-65 @ AKR

CAN- L 46-56 @ AKR

 

Buffalo

BG- W 59-48 @ BUF

CAN- L 64-69 vs. BUF

Bowling Green: 2-0, Canisius: 0-2

Key Players

Canisius

Frank Turner, Jr. 5-10, 165: 15.5 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 4 APG

Greg Logins, Soph, 6-7, 240: 11 PPG, 6.9 RPG

 

Bowling Green

Nate Miller, Sr. 6-4, 220: 12.3 PPG, 6.6 RPG

Brian Moten, Sr. 6-4, 175: 11.6 PPG

Darryl Clements, Sr. 6-4, 191: 10 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 2.9 APG

What to Watch For

The Griffins will go by Turner and Logins. A two-point win over Loyola-Maryland pulled them out of a six-game losing streak. Bowling Green comes into this off a big win over Buffalo. The Falcons’ last game at home was a shocking loss to Eastern Michigan. Do not expect a second straight flat performance.

Prediction: Bowling Green 68, Canisius 61

By Connor Kiesel
VanDelay Sports Staff Writer